Transnational organised crime (TOC) refers to a fluid and diversified industry that engages in illicit activities ranging from drug and human trafficking to drug smuggling, piracy and money laundering. Although it may affect strong states, conflict-affected and fragile states are especially vulnerable to the dynamics of TOC and may provide more favourable conditions for its development.
This paper outlines the ways in which TOC has evolved in recent years and how policy might be adapted to take account of this evolution. It emphasises that TOC today is less a matter of organised cartels established in producer or end-user states, but is increasingly characterised by fluid, opportunistic networks that may for example specialise in transport and logistics. The paper recommends tackling the problem through a comprehensive approach that considers TOC as but one element within a greater complex of cause and effect. This would entail a re-evaluation of many current assumptions about TOC and a reformulation of current policies to focus on:
- Cooperation along the supply chain of goods distributed illegally, from production to end-user;
- Combining institution building with development of local communities;
- Engaging with local actors at all points in the policymaking process;
- Helping peace missions to adopt a managerial rather than confrontational strategy towards TOC;
- Standardised definitions and better data on the activities of TOC.
